Railway terminal communicating system



Nov. 19, 1935. c. BRAKE Er AL v RAILWAY TERMINAL' COMMUNICATING SYSTEM Filed May 26, 1932 3 Sheets-Shea?I l ||w| Il |.l||. sts 4 THEIR ATTORNEY FIG.. y

Nov. 19, 1935.

C. DRAKE ET AL RAILWAY TERMINAL COMMUNCATING SYSTEM Filed May 26. 1932 v3 Sheets-*Shawl 2 INVENTORS L C..Drake and A. Langdon IBYzM/m THEIR ATTORNEY Novo 19, 1935. c. DRAKE Er AL 2,021,855

RAILWAY TERMINAL COMMUNIGATING SYSTEM Filed May 26, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR C.Dra.ke and ALangdon BY/Mm THEIR ATTONEY FIG.. 3.

Patented Nov. 19, 1935 UNITED STATES znzisss PATENT OFFICE RAILWAY TERMNAL COMJMUNICANG SYSTEM Application May 26, 1932, Serial No. 613,676

28 Claims.

This invention relates to a communicating system in connection with train starting in large railway terminals, andA more particularly relates to a system providing alternative communication between the conductor, gateman, and train director in such a railway terminal.

In large railroad terminals a considerable number of platforms is necessary for loading passengers or b-aggage on a train occupying the adjacent track. Inasmuch as these platforms may be so located that they are not all visible from the train directors location, it is inconvenient for either the train director to know when Asuch trains are prepared to leave, or for the train conductor and gateman to be informed concerning the time which the train dispatcherwishes to start the train.

This information is of great value to the parties concerned, as the sequence of traffic movements through the terminal can be more efficiently planned if accurate information is available concerning the readiness of trains to start. The conductors andgatemen in such terminals are hindered by the lack of communication means asthe gatemen must be informed when each particular train is in position and ready to load passengers, and it is convenient and efcient to inform the conductor and train director when the gateman has allowed all the passengers to board a particular train.

in View of the above, it is proposed in accordance with this invention to provide a system whereby alternate communication between the train conductor, train director and gateman can be obtained by means of small signals arranged to be controlled at stations conveniently located for each of the above mentioned parties.`

Other objects, purposes and characteristic features of the invention will appear as the description thereof p-rogresses, during which references will be made to the accompanying drawings which show the invention ina lmanner to make it easily understood, rather than with the View of showing the particular construction pref- Fig. 2 possessing the same characteristics and operating sequence. K

A railroad terminal, which is large enough to Warrant the installation of a communicating system as disclosed in this invention, has a considerable number of platforms located between the tracks, and such platforms usually extend for a distance long enough to permit the loading of two 5 trains' placed end to end on any one track. The length of such loading platforms usually makes it Anecessary to employ several communicating stations for the train conductors, or such a number that one is conveniently located wherever the 10 train may be stopped along the platform. In the typical layout shownl in Fig. l, four conductor stations are indicated by the dotted vrectangles C, C1, C2 and C3 included in the large dotted rectangle enclosing platform I apparatus.

The length of the loading platforms also makes it desirable to employ two or more passages to a concourse leading from the platform to the station. It is usually the custom to station a gateman at each of such passages, and it is pro- 20 posed to locate two gatemen stations at eachV passage, one concerning each track associated with the particular platform. Thus, for each track, two gatemen stations are employed, one at each passage, which are shown in Fig. 1 by the 25 dotted rectangles GS and G51 also included in the large dotted rectangle enclosing platform I apparatus.

An east relay panel and awest relay panel are also included in each track apparatus from which connections are made to all the conductor stations C, C1, C? and C3 in parallel and to the gateman stations GS and GSl in parallel. This track lvapparatus is duplicated for track 2 which is indicated by a second dotted rectangle, and the two may be said to constitute a single platform apparatus as the platforms are usually located between two tracks and arranged to load trains on either side. It is now evident that the apparatus included in the large rectangle enclosing yplatform i apparatus is 4duplicated for each platform in the terminah unless a platform may be adapted to load a train on one side only in which case the apparatus for a single track will constitute this platform apparatus.

-In the particular terminal layout in'Fig. 1, two towers are shown, each of which contains apparatus governing the traflic through its particular side of the terminal. A train director is stationed at each of these towers, who operates 50 traffic controlling apparatus to line routes and release trains through his particular territory. A train directors communicating panel for eachl track is placed at each tower and connected to each associated track apparatus as is morefully 55 described hereinafter. Where one tower only is used, the apparatus shown in west and east towers would be located in the single tower.

The conductors communicating station C, referring to Figs. 2 and 3, consists of two banks of color light signals, G, Y and R and two push buttons 5 and 5a, each so located as to be associated with its particular signal bank. Each of these signal banks governs the starting of trains in its particular direction which direction may be suitably marked thereon, such as W and E as shown, or the station may be so positioned. that the governing direction of each bank is readily apparent.

The gatemans communicating station GS consists of two direction indication lights W and E with push buttons M and 14a, each associated with a particular direction indicating light. The direction indicated by these lights may similarly be designated by the letters W and E or by the positioning of the station as previously described.

The train directors communicating apparatus comprises a single bank of color light signals, G, Y and R, an acknowledging contactor A and a vcancelling contactor CB. These contactors and signals are also suitably marked to designate the track to which they communicate, such as track No. 1, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, by reference character W1, and are located together with their accompanying relays in the west tower. It is also to be understood that this tower apparatus is duplicated in the east tower and arranged to communicate with conductors of trains on its particular track which trains are to makel eastward moves.

To simplify in disclosing the operation of the present system, it is considered sufficient to trace in detail only one of the many duplicate channels ofcomrnunication, or specifically in Figs. 2 and 3, the communication channel between the conductor of a west bound train at station C, the gateman at station GS and the train director at his W1 panel. Bv Ireferring to Fig. 1, it can be seen that the above communicating channel only involves the west signals and associated push button controls of stations C and GS and only the west relay panel of track I apparatus.

This apparatus which is concerned is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 with the wiring connections shown in detail, and a section of the associated track is indicated diagrammatically to facilitate in showing the relation of the occupancy thereof to the operation of the system. Other apparatuses 'essential to the system are included in Figs. 2 and 3, such as the transformers TFI and TF2, used to supply the proper voltage of alternating current for lighting the color light signals.

The arrangement shown in Fig. 1 includes five common wires extending between the two towers and leading to each track apparatus in the system, which is the apparatus inclosed in the dotted rectangle R of Figs. 2 and 3. Two of these wires BX and CX are connected to a suitable external source of Valternating current electrical energy and carry energy toall the transformers in the system such Aas TF! and TF2 in Figs. 2 and 3. Suitable direct current power apparatus P is conveniently located in the system which is to supply split potential direct current energy over the remaining three of the aforesaid common wires. This power supply may be two storage batteries B1 and B2, as shown, connected in series and suitably charged from the alternating current wires BX and CX through a transformer and rectifier arrangement as indicated. These two batteries in series supply positive potential to the BL wires, negative to the NL and the center potential or common wire is connected to the CL wire. These batteries may be omitted and the rectiers only employed to supply direct current power, in which case the rectiers must be of sucient capacity to carry the maximum load.

"Having described such apparatus of the present invention which is not of well established design, it is believed, that the usefulness and the various interrelated function of the system and circuits of this specic embodiment of the present invention will be more readily understood by further description being given from the standpoint of operation.

Operation Considering now, by referring to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, that a west bound train is occupying a section of the track T2 and that the conductor is ready to load passengers, the following communication is accomplished. The conductor presses the west push button 5 at station C which positively energizes relay CS at the local platform and relay TS at the west tower over the following circuit-beginning at the positive direct current energy wire BL, wires I, 2

. and 3, push button 5 closed, wire 6, contact 'I of relay CP in its de-energized position as shown, wire 8, through a resistor 9 of nominal value, say 50 ohms, wire Hl, through the windings of the polarized relay CS, wire I I to the common potential Wire CL.' Energy .flowing to the relay CS through the resistance 9 as previously traced, also flows over an individual line wire L to relay TS located in the tower, through its windings, wire I2, cancelling contact CB closed, wires I3, i6! and I5, contact I6 of track relay TRl energized, wires I7 and I8, contact I9 of track relay TR2 in its de-energized position (inasmuch as the train is now occupying the track section T2,) wire 2| back to the common wire CL. In the above circuit, a front contact |88 of relay RP is in multiple with contact it of relay TR1 thus permitting the system to function during switching movements in the track section TI providing the signal SI is at stop.

The completion of the above circuit causes the polarized relays CS and TS to swing their contacts to the right, which lights the conductors red light R at station C from the secondary of 5 transformer TF2 over wire .23, Contact 24 of relay CS swung to the right, wire 25, contact 26 ol relay CP in its de-energized position, wire 2l, through the lamp of the conductors red signal R, wires 28 and 29 back to the secondary of transformer TF2.

When the contact t3 of relay TS swings to the right the two relays TS and CS are held in such position through a stick circuit, through a resistorl 34 which is substantially larger than the resistor S, say of about 10G ohms, over a circuit from the positive bus BL, wires 38, 3i and 32, contact 33 swung to its right position, resistor 3Q to the line wire L, and thence in multiple through the two relays to thereby positively energize the relays TS and CS through their circuits to common or CL, as previously traced.

The moving of contact 38 of relay TS to the right energizes relay TNP from the positive wire BL over wires 33, 3l and 35, through the windings of relay TNP, wires 36 and 37, contact 38 of relay TS, wires 39, 45 and fil back to the negative potential wire NL. This picks up contact 43 of relay TNP which lights the train directors its energized position, wire M, contact 45 of relay TRP in its de-energized position, wire 46,

tlirough the lamp of the train directors red signal R, wire lll back to the secondary of transformer TF8.

It will now be seen that the conductor, by pressing a push button has indicated to the train di- -rector through lighting a red signal light that he is prepared to load passengers, but he also has a red signal indication which indicates that the train director has not yet given permission to load Nthat particular train. When the train director -desires to convey such information to the conductor he presses his acknowledging contactor A which applies energy of a reverse polarityv to the polarized relays CS and TS over the following circuit-beginning at the negative potential wire wires lll and 48, contact 49 of relay TNP in its energized position, wire Sli, Contact 82 of relay TRP in its de-energized position, wire 53, contact 51% of acknowledging contactor A in its depressed position, wire through a resistor 56 oiD approximately the same value as resistor 9, to the line wire L th-ereby going to common through the windings of relays CS and TS over their common circuits previously traced.

It will be noticed that the application of current of reverse polarity to the polarized relays CS and TS just described is superimposed on the existing energization of their coils, which decreases the current in the coils to such an extent that the relays will release their armatures, therevby interrupting their holding circuit at contact 33 of relay TS. Contact 38, leaving its right extreme position, interrupts the circuit from the relay TNP to the NL Kenergy wire but a substitute circuit is established during thel depression of the l"acknowledging contactor A by wire 85, its own Ireverse polarity to relays CS and TS thereby causing their contacts to swing to the left where a holding circuit is established from the NL energy wire over wires 4l, 40, 90 and 5l, Contact 33 of relay TS to the left and resistor 35 to the line wire L, which maintains this energization of relays CS and TS after the acknowledging contactor A has been released. Y

To obviate the possibility or" the voltages of the two batteries B1 and B2 differing suiliciently to ,prevent an effective bucking of the holding current in the relays CS and TS during the operation just described, a resistor 3d is placed in the holding circuit which resistor is of a substantially greater value than the resistors 9 and 5e which are employed in the operating circuits. This introduces a suniciently greater voltage drop in the holding circuit than in the operating circuit to make the actual operating voltage at the relay coils always exceed the holding voltageY l'thereby insuring proper operation.

Relay TNPis cie-energized by interrupting its circuit at contact 88 which is opened by releasing the acknowledging contactor A, and when the contacts of relay TS swings to the left energy is applied to the relay TRP from the energy wire BL over wires 30 and tu, windings of relay TRP, wires 59 and 58, Contact 38 of relay TS swung to the left, wires 3Q, le and lll to the energy wire NL.

The train directors red signal light is now ex-gized positions which enables its contact 82 to 75 tinguished by interrupting its circuit at contact 133 ofrelay TNP in its de-energized position, and the yellow signal light is energized from transformer TFI over wire Q2, contact 43 of relay TNP in its de-energized position, wire 6l, contact 62 of'relay TRP in its energized position, Wire 63, through the yellow signal lamp, wire M back to transformer TFYI.

Relay CS swinging its contacts to the left extinguishes the conductors red signal light by l0 interrupting its circuit at contact 24 and applies v energy to the conductors yellow signal light and the gatemans directional light W from transformer TF2, wire 23, contact 2d swung to the left, wire 68 and then through two parallel paths, 15 5 one being over wire 1Q, conductors yellow signal lamp Y, wire 28', and the other being over wire li, gatemans directional light W, wire 12, and both paths returning to the transformer TF2 by Wire 29. the contacts of relay CS are swung to the left by energy from wire BL, wires l and 64, windings of relay CP, wires @5 and 66, contact 61 of relay CS swung to the left, wire t8 to energy proper gate and allows passengers to pass to the 30 train. When the last of the passengers has been admitted` the ga'teman allows suiiicient time for the last one to reach the train and then presses his proper directional push button, which in this case is push button lil. This again applies cur- 35 rent of normal polarity to the relays CS and TS from the energy wire BL over wires l, 2 and 13, push button M, wire l5, contact 'l of relay CP in its energized position, wire 8 and resistor 9 to the line wire L. This current of normal 40 gf polarity is superimposed on the existing current of reversed polarity of the relays CS and TS which swings their polarized contacts again to the right by rst breaking their holding circuit through Contact es of relay Ts to the left and the 45 resistor 34 Vin a similar manner to the reverse operation due to the train directors acknowledging act just described.

The relay CP is constructed so that its action in returning to its de-energized position is sufti- 50 .ciently retarded to allow the contacts of relay CS to swing from one extreme position to the other before its contacts have left their energized position. Consequently, the relay CP having been previously energized, remains in its 55 energy Wire BL, wires l and te, winding of relay CP, wires and iti, its own contact 71 in its energized position, wire i8, contact 5l of relay CS swung to the right, wire $8 to energy wire NL.

The conductors yellow signal and the gatemans directional signal are now extinguished by 65 breaking their energizing circuit at contact 2li of relay CS swung to the right and the conductors green signal is energized from transformer TF2 over wire 23, contact 2li of relay CS swung to the right, wire 25, contact 2@ of relay CP energized, 70

wire it?, through the conductors green signal lamp, wires 28 and 2Q back to transformer TF2.

The relay TRP, like relay CP, is made so that its contacts are slow in breaking from their ener- The relay CP is also energizedY when 203'."

remain in its energized position while the polarized contact 38 of lrelay TS swings from its left to its right hand position and thereby energizes relay TNP as previously described. The relay 5 TNP, being energized, clos-es a circuit to retain relay TRP in its energized position from theenergy wire BL, wires 3Q and @9, winding of relay TRP, Wires 59 and 8l, its own Contact 82 in its energized position, wire 553, contact i9 of relay ,TNP in its energized position, Wires i8 and i! to the energy wire NL.

The relay TNP, assuming its energized position, extinguishes the train directors yellow signal light by interrupting its energizing circuit at its contact 43. The relay TRP, now being in its energized position, lights the train directors green signal light G from the transformer TFI over wire 42, contact 43 of relay TNP energized, wire 6d, contact 45 of relay TRP energized, wire 83, contact SQ of the train directors acknowledging contact A in its normal position, wire l f through the train directors green signal lamp wire il to transformer TFl.

The conductor, now having a proceed indication, signals the engineer to start the train, and' the signal SI havingpreviously been cleared from the tower and the relay RP fle-energized, the train moves out of the track section T2. The train entering track section T l de-energizes the octrack relay TRI Which interrupts the common potential circuit of the relay TS at contact i6 of track relay TR1 de-energized. This de-energizes the relay TS which interrupts its own holding circuit and the holding circuit for relay CS at contact 33.

The returning of relay TS to a neutral position de-energizes relay TNP at contact 38, and relay TNP in turn de-energizes relay TRP at contact 49. This puts the tower end or" the system at .unrest thereby extinguishing the train directors green signal light by interrupting its circuit at contact 43. In a similar manner, the de-energizing of relay CS de-energizes the relay CP at contact (il which puts the platform end of the system at rest thereby extinguishing the conductors green signal light at contact 2li.

It may also be convenient for yard switching movements in the terminal to employ a partial operation of the above which is accomplished as fdfollows1-the yardman, ready to make a move from the platform, presses the push button 5 at the conductors communicating station which lights the red signal light at that station and the corresponding train directors red signal light through the same operation as was previously described. The train director is now informed of the yardmans desire to leave the platform and proceeds to clear the proper signals and acknowledges by pressing his cancelling button CB which oginterrupts the common circuit thereby extinguishing both red lights and restoring the system to normal again as previously described.

It will now be seen that a sequential communicating system has been provided which allows the conductor to initiate the system by signalling the train director, who then acknowledges by signalling the conductor and gateman, and finally the gateman, at the proper time, signals both the conductor and train director. This is all the communication that is necessary in starting a single train, and when this is completed the train leaves the platform thereby extinguishing the existing signal lights and putting the system at rest.

,g In the above circuit arrangement it is necessary for a train to be occupying either track section T2 or T3 before the systemrcan be operated as the common circuit for relay CS is only complete when either track relay TR2 or the relay TP3,

which repeats the track relay TR3, is de-ener- 5 gized. This prevents a mischievous operation by an unauthorized person when a train is not standing at the platform.

It Will be noted that the operation of the system is further dependent on the existence of 10 one of several conditions, which are namely:-` that the track section Tl be unoccupied or that the signal Si be at stop or if it is desirable to operate the systems when neither of these conditions exists, a by-pass circuit is provided by Wires 15 22, 92 and 93, contact 94 of relay TNP de-energized and wires and 96, or a second by-pass is provided including wires 22, 92 and 91, contact 93 of relay TRP de-energized and wires 99 and 96.

A third by-pass circuit is also provided through 20 the acknowledging contacter A depressed over wires 22 and 5l; contact 52 of the acknowledging contacter A depressed and wire 9i which prevents the interruption of the common circuit including a contact of either relay TNP or TRP just de- 25 scribed, in the event that the train director while acknowledging a communication holds the contactor A depressed for a sufficient length of time to energize relay TRP While maintaining relay TNP energized through contact 88 depressed. 30 The purpose of the by-passing circuits outlined in this paragraph is to permit switching movements involving the clearing of signal Si while the train is loading passengers. In other words, the automatic cancellation feature provided by35 the combination of the track section Tl occupied and signal SI clear is effective only when the last or green indication of the system has been displayed.

It will also be noted that the energizing of both 4.0 relays TNP and TRP by holding the acknowledging contactor depressed, as was just described, produces a condition which exists when the train directors green light is energized. To prevent a false green indication in this condition, the en- 45 ergizing circuit for the above mentioned green signal is taken through contact 8s which interrupts the circuit when the acknowledging contactor is depressed.

In the above system, the order of communica- 50r tion must be followed in the sequence previously outlined as the gateman is prevented from initiating the system because his control is broken at contact 'l of relay CP which is de-energized and likewise the train director is prevented from 55 initiating the system as his control is interrupted at contact 49 of relay 'INP which is de-energized. Also after the system has been initiated, the gateman cannot communicate until after the train director has acknowledged and by so doing 60 swings the polarized relay CS to the left thereby energizing the relay CP and establishing the gatemans control circuit.

It will be noticed that the modied circuit, shown in Fig. 3 differs chiefly from the one just 65 described in that only neutral relays are ernployed which necessitates the use of two individual line wires connecting each track apparatus with the corresponding tower apparatus as compared to the single wire shown in Fig. 1. How- 70 ever, by the elimination of the polarized circuits, the number of power wires commonly connecting all track apparatus and both towers is decreased to four as compared to the ve necessary in the circuit shown in Fig. 2. 75

"nasmuch as this circuit modication shown in Fig. 3 is equally applicable to thacommunicating system as the one shown in- Fig. 2 and overcomes any objection to polarized circuits which a r particular application may produce, it is considered expedient to also discuss its. operation in detail.

Assuming the same conditions as previously existed, the conductor initiates the system by individual line wire L1, contact of relay D| cle-energized, wires |12 and |12, through the windings or relay Ci, wires it, l5 and i5 to the common energy wire CL.

`Tl1e sam-e conditions, such as the occupancy of track sections and the condition of signals, must exist before this circuit is operable as was essential to the operation of the previous circuit. In the rst circuit, however, one of the outlined conditions must exist to complete the common potential circuit, while in this modied circuit, such conditions must exist to complete the holding or stick circuits for the control relays.

Assuming the track section T2 occupied, energy is applied to the relay C| from the positive wire BL, wire l| i1, resistor H3, wire H9, cancelling button CB, wires |22 and 42|, contact |22 of relay TR2 cle-energized, wires |23 and |24, contact |25 of relay TR1 energized, wires |26 and |21, resistor |28, contact |29 of relay Cl energized, wires itil and H3 to relay Ci and also to relay C2 over line wire L1 as previously traced. The same provision is made in this system as in the system of Fig. 2, or that is, a front contact |89 is provided on relay RP in multiple with contact |25 of relay TR1 to permit operation of the system when the track section T| is occupied and the signal Si is at stop. This energy returns from the relays to the CL energy wire over the same circuit as before and thereby holds the relays C! and C2 energized after the return of push button 5 has interrupted the energizing circuit.

The energizing of relay C2, energizes the conductors red signal light from the transformer TF2 over wire |31, contact |32 of relay D2 deenergized, wire |33, contact |34 of relay C2 energized, wire |35, the red signal lamp R, wires |35 and |31 back to the transformer TF2. Likeise, the energizing of relay Cl, energizes the train directors red signal light from the transformer TF1 over wire |38, contact |39 of relay Di cle-energized, wire Mii, contact |61 of relay C! energized, wire |22, the red signal larnp R, wire "if/i2 back to the transformer TF1.

The train director now acknowledges by pressing his acknowledging button A which energizes relays Di and D2 from the positive bus BL, wire ||1, resistor HS, wire |12, acknowledging contactor A, wire IM, contact M5 of relay Cl energized, wire |255 to the individual line wire L2 which connects the relays Dl and D2 in parallel. The return circuit for relay D| to the negative potential wires is by wires |41, ||5 and |16 and the return for relay D2 is by wires |48, ||l1 and 28. The relays Dl and D2 are now held in their energized position by a stick circuit which is the same as traced for'relay C1 as far 'as Wire |21 which is connectedy to the line wire L2 by wire |119, resistor |55, contact |5| ofA relay D| energized and wire |52.

Theenergizing ofY relay D| now extinguishesf the trai-'n directors redsi-gnal light at its contact |39 and energizes the yellow signal light from transformer TF1 over wire |38, contact |39 of relay Di energized, wire |53, contact |54 of relay G| de-energized, wire |55, train directors yellow signal lamp Y, wire |43 to transformer TF1. In

guishesthe conductors red' signal light at its contact |32 and energizes the yellow signal light from transformer TF2 over wire |3|,contact |32 of relay D2 energized, wire |55, contact |51- of relay G2 cle-energized, wires |58 and |59, the conductor yellow signal lamp Y, wires |36 and |31 back to transformer TF2. The gatemans directional light W is also energized from the transformer over wire 13|, contact |32 of relay D2 energized, wire |56, contact |51 ofrelay G2 cle-energized, wires |58I and? |58, the gatemans west signal lamp W, wires |51 and |31 back to the transformer TF2.

The gateman, now at the proper time previously described, presses his push button 14 which energizes the relay G2 from the positive energy wire BL over wire me, resistor wire |62, contact 16 depressed, wires |62 and |133, the windings of relay G2, wires |55 and |98 to the negative energy wire CL. Relay Gl is also energized by pressing button 111 as it is connected in parallel with relay G2 by wire |55, contact lil of relay D2 energized, line Wire L1, contact of relay Di energized, wires and |t1 and back to the negative'potential wire CL by wires |68 and i6. Relay Gl being'energized completes a holding circuit to maintain relays Gl and G2 energized from the positive energy wire BL, Wire I1, resistor H8, wire H9, cancelling contact CB, wires |20 and l2 l, contact |22 of track relay T112.2 de-energized, wiresl |23 and |1|, contact |12 of relay GE energized, wire |13, Contact |14 of relay Dl energized and by wire |15 to the parallel circuit connecting relay Gi and G2 just traced.

The energizing of relay G2 extinguishes the conductors yellow signal light and theY gatemans directional light and energizes the conductors green signal light by the shifting of contact |51 which interrupts t-he current to wire |58 and completes a circuit through Wire |69 to the green signal lamp. Likewise, the energizing of relay Gl extinguishes the train directors yellow light and energizes his green light by the shifting of Contact |54 which interrupts the current to wire |55 and completes a circuit through wire |13 to the green signal lamp.

The train now moves out of the track section T2 thereby interrupting the stick or holding circuit for. relays Ci, DI and D2 by de-energizing relay TR1, relay RP also being down due to clearing of signal Si. The (le-energizing of relay DI interrupts the previously traced holding circuit for relays G1 and G2 at contact |14, which puts the system at rest thereby extinguishing the train directors and the conductors green signal lights.

This modied circuit possesses the same operating sequence as the circuit previously described and requires the existence of the same conditions for operation and the same conditions restore the system to normal. Partial operation of this modified circuitis obviously obtainable in the same manner by the use of the cancelling button 'like manner, the energizingof relay D2 extin- CB, which is inserted in the holding or relay stick circuit and its operation at any time thereby restores the system to normal.

Similarly, in this circuit a by-pass of the automatic cancelling circuit through contacts of relays TR1 and RP is provided by wire I'H, contact |12 of relay (il de-energized, wires |90, |49 and l2?. This provides that automatic cancellation is effective only after the third or green indication has been displayed.

It will now be seen that a communicating system has been provided that may utilize either of the suggested typical circuits in the proposed installation outlined in Fig. 1 and thereby establish communication between the conductors of trains on any track, the gatemen at the associated platform and either train director according to the outgoing direction of the particular train.

Thus, the proposed system fulfills the traiiic communication requirements inside large railway terminals and employs a minimum number of individual line wires connecting each platform with the two towers thereby minimizing the cost of installations embodying a large number of platform communicating stations.

The above rather specic description of one form of the present invention is given solely by the way of example, and is not intended in any manner whatsoever, in a limiting sense. It is also to be understood that various modifications, adaptations and alterations may be applied to meet the requirements of practice, without in any manner departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention, except as limitedby the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:-

i. A communicating system for use in railway terminals having a plurality of tracks with loading platforms associated therewith and having train directors towers governing outgoing trafc in each direction therefrom, said communicating system including a plurality of parallel train conductor communicating stations and a plurality of parallel gateman communicating stations associated with each of said tracks, a communicating station for each of said tracks at each of said train directors towers, energy conducting wires commonly connecting each of said platforms and each of said towers, individual wires connecting each platform with each tower whereby electrical circuits can be established between said platforms and said towers and means at said platforms and at said towers whereby sequential inter-communication can be obtained over said electrical circuits between such of said communicating stations as are associated with a common track.

2. A communicating system for multi-track railway terminals, said terminals having two directional traffic controlling towers, a plurality of platforms located for loading trains on tracks adjacent thereto and gates controlling the entrance of passengers to said platform, said communicating system including signalling stations at each of said towers corresponding to each track adjacent said loading platforms, a plurality of parallel signalling stations conveniently located for train conductors at each platform for each track adjacent thereto and a signalling station associated with each of said tracks located at each of said gates, energy conducting wires commonly connecting all of said platforms and said towers, individual wires connecting each of said platforms with each of said towers, electroresponsive means at said platforms and at said towers whereby circuits including said common energy wires and said individual' wires can be sequentially established thereby permitting signal communication between associated stations,.u

said communication being dependent on the presence of a train on the track associated therewith.

3. A communicating system for multi-track railway terminals whereby sequential communication can be established between a train conductor, a train director andY a gateman therein, said communicating system including a train director apparatus associated with each track and with each traffic direction thereon, a conductor and gateman signalling apparatus corresponding to each of said train director signalling apparatus, a single source of energy conducted to each of the above signalling apparatus, individual conductors connecting each of said train director apparatus with its associated conductor and gateman apparatus, each of the above apparatus including electro-responsive means arranged to maintain the last communicated signal until the communication of the next sequential signal, and said electro-responsive means further arranged to automatically restore said communicating system to normal upon the departure of a train associated therewith.

4. A communicating system for railway terminals having platforms arranged to load trains on tracks adjacent thereto and having towers governing trafc on said tracks, said communieating systemincluding electro-responsive communicating means at each of said towers and at each of said platforms, a single source of energy conducted to each of said tower communicating means and to each of said platform communicating means, said platform communieating means including a group of associated apparatus for each track adjacent thereto, said associated track apparatus including a group of interrelated relays associated with each of said towers, a plurality of parallel `conductor communicating stations each having a group of various signal indicating means associated with each of said groups of interrelated relays and a manually operable circuit controller associated with each of said groups of signal indicating means, a plurality of parallel gateman communicating stations having a traic direction indicating means associated with each of said groups of interrelated relays and a manually operable circuit controller associated with each of said traflic direction indicating means, and each of said tower communicating means including groups of associated relays which groups are individually connected to its particular corresponding group of relays at said platforms and a tower signalling station associated with each of said tower relay groups which have means indicating various signals and associated manually operable acknowledging and cancelling contacts,

5. A communicating system for multi-track railway terminals whereby communication may be established between a trackway station; a station located at a gate leading thereto and a station associated therewith conveniently located for a train director, said communicating system including electro-responsive apparatus located at said train director station connected by a single wire to similar electro-responsive apparatus at said trackway station, a two wire source of energy having a third wire of relatively equal and opposite potential thereto, said wires commonly connecting all the aforesaid apparatus, a polarized relay included in said-train director apparatus and in said trackway apparatus, means at said trackway for denitely energizing said polarized relays over said single connecting wire and said common connecting wires, a stick circuit completed by said energizing of a polarized relay and including a, resistance unit whereby said polarized relays are held in said deiinitely energized position and means at said train director station for superimposing a reverse polarity of energy on said polarized relays through a substantially smaller resistance circuit than said stick circuit.

6. A communicating system for railway terminals whereby communication can be established between a trackway station, a gate track- 'way station located at a gate leading to the.

Vgization of the wires, and stick circuits for each of said relays which are complete only during occupancy of an associated track section.

7. Two spaced stations, a polar relay at each station connected in a common circuit, a neutral relay at each station, a pick-up circuit for each neutral relay controlled by one polar position of the polar relay at its station, and a stick circuit for each neutral relay controlled by the other polar position of the polar relay at its station.

8. Two spaced stations, a polar relay at each station connected in a common circuit, a neutral relay at each station, a pick-up circuit for each neutral relay controlled by one polar position of the polar relay at its station, a stick circuit for `each neutral relay controlled by the other polar position of the polar relay at its station, and indicating means at each station each selectively controlled by the said relays at its station.

9. In communicating means, in combination, a directors station, and at least one way station, indicating means at each station, a polarized relay at each station, means at the way station for placing one polarity of energy on each of the polar relays to give one indication at each.

station, means at the directors station to put the other polarity of energy on the polar relays to give another indication of each station, and means at the way station, for then putting energy -of said one polarity on the polar relays to give vstill another indication at each station.

10. In acommunicating means, in combination, a directors station, and at least one Way station, indicating means at each station, a

polarized relay at each station, means at the way station for placing one polarity of energy on each of the polar relays to give one indication at each station, means at the directors station to put the other polarity of energy on the polar relays .to give another indication at each station, and a neutral relay at the directors station picked up through the polar relay of its station when energized by said one polarity for controlling said one indication at the directors station.

11. In communicating means, in combination, a directors station, and at least one way station, indicating means at each station, a polarized relay at each station, means at the way station for placing one polarity of energy on each of the Vpolar relays to give one indication atleach station, means at the directors station to put the other polarity of energy on the polar relays to give another indication at each station, means at the way station, for then putting energy of said one polarity on the polar relays to give still 5;:

another indication at each station, and a'neutral relay at the directors station controlled by its polar relay and included in the control of said another indication at its station.

l2. In combination, a directors station and at least one way stationvspaced therefrom, a polarized circuit connecting up the stations and including a polar relay at each station, means at the way station for placing energy of one polarity only on each of the polar relays, and means at 15g.;

the directors station for placing energy of the other polarity only on each of the polar relays.

13. In combination, a directors station and at least one way station spaced therefrom, a polarized circuit connecting up the stations and in- 205;;

cluding a polar relay at each station, means at the way station and dependent upon traffic controlled means for placing energy of one polarity only on each of the polar relays, and means at the directors station for placing energy of the 252 other polarity only on each of the polar relays.

14. In combination, a directors station and at least one way station spaced therefrom., a polarized circuit connecting up the stations and including a polar relay at each station, means at 30r the way station for placing energy of one polarity only on each or" the polar relays, means at the directors station for' placing energy of the other polarity only on each of the polar relays yand lock-out means (relay TNP) requiring the initial 35" energization of the polar relays to be controlled from the way station.

15. In a communicating system, a directors station, a plurality of way stations, common power' conductors extending to said directors sta- 40 tion and to all way stations, individual conductors connecting each Way station with the directors station, a rst and a second signal transmitting and signal indicating means at each way station,

a signal transmitting and signal indicating means 451v ing means in accordance with the condition of 55' their associated storing means.

16. In a-communicating system, a directors station, a plurality of way stations, co-nductors supplying energy to said directors station and to all way stations in parallel, individual conductors connecting A way stations with the directors station, a first and a second signal transmitting and signal indicating means at each way station, a signal transmitting and `signal indicating means at the directors station associated with each of the way stations, a group of relays at the directors station associated with each way station, a group or relays at each way station, circuit means energizing the rrelays in said groups one at a time by successive current impulses applied thereto by operations of the various associated signal transmitting means in a particular sequence, and circuit means arranged to condition the various signal indicating means in accord- 751i ance with the energization of their associated groups.

17. In a communicating system, a directors station, a plurality of way stations, common power conductors extending to said directors station and to all way stations, each way station having its individual plurality of conductors connecting it with the directors station, a iirst and a second signal transmitting and signal indicating means at each way station, a signal transmitting and signal indicating means at the directors station associated With each of the way stations, neutral electro-responsive storing means at the directors station and at each Way station operable to set up a plurality of distinctive conditions in accordance with successive current impulses applied thereto by operations of the various associated signal transmitting means in a particular sequence, and circuit means arranged to condiltion the various signal indicating means in accordance with the condition of their associated storing means.

18. In a communicating system, a directors p station, a plurality of way stations, common power n station and at each way station operable toy set up a plurality of distinctive conditions in accordance with successive current impulses applied thereto by operations of the various associated signal transmitting means in a particular sequence, and circuit means' arranged to condition the various signal indicating means in accordance with the condition of their associated storing means.

19. In communicating means, in combination, Ka directors station, and at least one way station, Avindicating means at each station, a polarized relay at each station, means at the way station for placing one polarity oi energy on each of the polar relays to give one indication at each station, means at the directors station to put the other polarity of energy on the polar relays to give another indication at each station, and means at the way station, and spaced from the rst said means at this station, for then putting energy of said one polarity on the polar relays to give still another indication at each station.

2G. In communicating means, in combination,

a directors station, and at least one way station, indicating means at each station, a polarized relay at each station, means at the way station for placing one polarity of energy on each of the polar relays to give one indication at each station, means at the directors station to put the other polarity of energy on the polar relays to give another indication at each station, means at the way station, for then putting en-ergy of said one polarity on the polar relays to give still another indication at each station, a neutral relay at the directors station controlled by its polar relay and included in the control of said another indication at its station, and a neutral relay at r each of the stations controlled by its polar relay and included in the control of said still another indication at its station respectively.

2l. In communicating means, in combination, a directors station, and at least one way station,

indicating means at each station, a polarized relay at each station, means at the way station for placing one polarity of energy on each of the polar relays to give one indication at each station, means at the directors station to put the other polarity of energy on the polar relays to give another indication at each station, means at the Way station, for then putting energy of said one polarity on the polar relays to give still another indication at each station, a neutral relay at, the directors station controlled by its polar relay and included in the control or" said another indication at its station, and a slow release neutral relay at each of the stations controlled by its polar relay and included in the control of said still another indication at its station respectively.

22.In communicating means, in combination, a directors station and at least one way station, indicating means at each station, a polarized relay at each station, means at the way station for placing one polarity of energy on each of the polar relays to give one indication at each station, means at the directors station to put the other polarity of energy on the polar relays to give another indication at each station, means at the way station, for then putting energy of said one polarity on the polar relays to give still another indication at each station, a neutral relay at the directors station controlled by its polar relay and included in the control of said another indication at its station, a slow release neutral relay at each of the stations controlled by its polar relay and included in the control of said still another indication at its station respectively, and trafc controlled means for restoring all relays to normal.

23,In combination a directors station and at least one way station spaced therefrom, a polarized circuit connecting up the stations and including a polar relay at each station, means at the Way station for placing energy of one polarity only on each of the polar relays, means at the directors station for placing energy of the other polarity only on each of the polar relays, and means whereby energization of the polar relays by alternate polarities of energy energizes corresponding and distinctive indications at the way station and the directors station.

24. In combination a directors station and at least one way station spaced therefrom, a polarized circuit connecting up the stations and including a polar relay at each station, means at the way station for placing energy of one polarity only on each of the polar relays, means at the directors station for placing energy of the other polarity only on each of the polar relays, lock-out means (relay TNP) requiring the initial energization of the polar relays to be controlled from the way station, and means whereby energization of the polar relays by alternate polarities of energy energize corresponding and distinctive indications at the way station and the directors station.

25. A communicating system for railway terminals whereby communication can be established between a trackway station, and a train director station, said communication system including a group of relays associated with the trackvvay station, and a group of relays at the train director station, the two groups being interconnected by two line Wires, communicating means whereby the relays in each of said groups can be progressively energized over said line Wires by a sequential energization ofthe line wires, the separate energizations each being initiated from a station different from that of the preceding.

26. A communicating system for railway terminals whereby communication can be established between a trackway station, and a train director station, said communication system including a group of relays associated with the trackway station, and a group of relays at the train director station, the two groups being interconnected by two line Wires, communicating means whereby the relays in each of said groups can be progressively energized over saidline wires by a sequential energization 'of the line wires, the separate energizations each being initiated from a station different from that of all the others.

27. A communication system whereby communication can be established between two spaced stations, said system including a group of relays associated with each of two stations,

the two groups being interconnected by only a single circuit, communicatingmeans whereby the relays in each of said groups can be progressively energized from one or the other station over said circuit by a sequential energization of the circuit, the separate energizations each being initiated from a station diierent from 5 that from which the immediately preceding energization was initiated.

28. A communicating system for establishing communication between two spaced l stations. said system including a group of neutral relays 10 only associated with one station, and a group of neutral relays only associated with the other station, the two relay groups being interconnected by tWo line wires, communicating means whereby the relays in each ofA said groups can be pro- 15 gressively energized from one or the other station over said line wires by a sequential energization of the line wires, the separate energizations each being initiated from a station diierent from that' from which the immediately preceding energiza- 20 tion was initiated.

CALEB DRAKE. ANDREW LANGDON. 

